‘I don’t like to see you so tired,’ he told her after days of unremitting toil. ‘Let’s take New Year’s Eve off, grab some takeaway and a bottle of fizz.’

‘You’re on.’ She linked her arm in his. ‘I don’t like to see you looking tired either, my lad, but isn’t it worthwhile? Things seem to be going well and no other problems have shown up.’

He made a sign of warding off evil. ‘Don’t tempt providence.’

When they went back to work after their little celebration, they stopped to study the street. ‘It’s good that they built such solid houses in those days, isn’t it?’ she said. ‘Numbers 2 and 3 are just about ready to show to people, even if Number 1 still has to remain untouched.’

‘I try not to think of Number 1. The wheels of bureaucracy grind exceedingly slowly, unlike our wheels of toil. Fancy the heritage people postponing a decision yet again!’

She grinned. He’d just about danced round the kitchen in annoyance when he opened the letter. ‘You weren’t going to dwell on that.’

‘It’s the comparison with how hard we’re working and how quickly we’re getting things done. I’d not have believed it possible that we could make so much progress in such a short time. I’ve never had such a capable assistant before.’

Her smile was grim. ‘You should have seen how hard I worked when I had three lads at home, a full-time job and an absentee husband. At least I’m only responsible for you and me now, and we can grab takeaways when I’ve no time to cook.’

‘Who’s dwelling on things now?’

She shrugged. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever forgive Craig, but I do mostly manage to push him to the back of my mind.’

As they were walking home at the end of a hard day’s work, Angus studied her face. ‘I think the word that suits you best is “indomitable”. As well as feminine, attractive and loving.’

‘Merci du compliment. A phrase that suits you is “highly focused”. Though at a personal level, I could add “sexy” as well.’ She mimed burning her fingers on a match.

He chuckled. ‘You’re a trifle biased, don’t you think? I’m rather old to be considered sexy. I’ve got a lot of grey in my hair.’

‘I still find you attractive.’ She giggled suddenly. ‘I read the phrase “stud muffin” in a romance novel. That’s what I’m going to call you from now on!’

‘Stud muffin? Good heavens! Whatever will they think of next?’

He stopped and gave her a hug, then they stood close together for a few moments, as they often did.

When they started moving again she asked, ‘How are we going to find artists to live in Saffron Lane? And what sort of artists are we looking for? We’ve discussed it once or twice but we haven’t come to any definite conclusions about how we should proceed.’

‘I’ve been so busy I’ve not really got my head into that side of things. I don’t think we’ll have any trouble renting out the houses, though. I suppose we’ll advertise. We’ll plan what we want to say in detail tomorrow, have a real think-tank session. But I’ve had it for today so let’s open a bottle of wine and make some toasted cheese sandwiches. I can’t even be bothered to walk to the pub for a meal.’